22. Tracey
Chapter 22
Tracey
“How can you not say yes to this one?” My sister’s voice carried to where I stood.
A frustrated sigh left me as I looked around the open room again. I’d just stepped down from the staircase that led to the upper floor. The openness was nice. The windows, and there were a lot of windows, allowed the natural light to fill the space both upstairs and down.
I turned to my sister, who was glaring daggers at me. “I think it’s okay, but?—”
“No buts, dude. Come on. She will freaking love this place. It’s like, what, two miles from her dad’s? Stop overthinking everything. You know Stel better than any of us, but I know her well too. She’s a simple girl at heart. This open floor plan is gorgeous.”
I looked around, giving the living room a once-over. Again. I was trying to make sure this would be what she wanted. The paper in my hand had a handwritten list of the house’s amenities on it.
4 bedrooms upstairs
2 bathrooms upstairs
Master bedroom on bottom floor with walk-in closet and attached bathroom.
Full-sized Jacuzzi tub
Walk-in shower
Toilet closet
Spacious kitchen with breakfast nook
Formal dining room with built-in hutch and cabinetry
Downstairs half bath
Full-sized laundry room
Living area with open concept floor plan; double sliding glass doors leading to a large outdoor porch and deck
Detached 2-car garage with covered walkway; access through the kitchen
Full-sized pool
Built-in outdoor kitchen with barbecue area
On paper it was perfect. That niggling feeling, or the inner brain voice, as Stel would call it, had me doubting that for some reason. I walked outside to the front and looked around the spacious yard. The nearest neighbor, an older couple that had been super friendly when opening this house up for us, was across the road to the left of this place. They were selling the home for their son who had taken a job in California. The house was only two years old but looked showroom ready. It had no signs of wear and tear. According to Mr. and Mrs. Kramer, their son and his family had been gone for about a month now.
It was as if it had been laid out in front of me. For her. Her dad’s house was a mile and half away. A smile tipped up the corner of my mouth. The front porch encompassed the entirety of the front of the house and around both sides, making a U-shape. I could imagine plants and rocking chairs on the front. We could sit out here and watch the kids play in the grass. Or move to the back porch. I walked around the house to give the yard one last look. The trees were plentiful, so lots of shade to save us from the Texas heat.
I leaned a hip against the wall blocking off the barbecue area, my gaze moving from one amenity to the other. We had room for a picnic table under the trees, a table and chairs on the patio itself, and of course, a table in the barbecue area. We would have plenty of room for big family cookouts and holidays.
Moving here meant leaving my sister, my family. I wouldn’t be far away; fifteen minutes at best. In an emergency, it could be faster.
“What’s going on in that head of yours?” AJ moved to stand beside me.
I took comfort in knowing she was okay. She would be okay. Chip was at the shop most of the time, if we weren’t out on a case. He’d protect her when I couldn’t. I looked over at her and smiled. “I think you’re right, it’s perfect.”
“Duh, dumbass.” She punched me in the arm, and I chuckled.
“Watch it, squirt.”
“You best watch yourself. I’ll let Diesel after you.”
Her grin grew as I narrowed my eyes. That was a threat no one should ever take lightly. I shook my head, wrapped an arm around her shoulders, and walked back around to the front of the house where Mr. Kramer sat on the steps, waiting.
“My brother will take it,” AJ announced loudly.
The old man chuckled and got to his feet.
“What she said. It’s perfect.”
“The Missus will be so happy to hear that. You said you and your fiancée have a child?” He moved to stand before us, and I nodded.
“Yes, sir. We are in the process of adopting a little boy. He’s about 4 months old now. And expecting our own in about six and a half months.” My grin grew as I said that out loud.
“It will be nice to have little ones in the area again. Without our grandkids close by, it’s so quiet. My wife was a nurse until her knees got too bad to keep up with the pace. She misses the hustle and bustle. She likes to keep busy when she can. The grandkids were a good distraction for her.”
“Well, a nurse close by, even if she’s retired, could be handy.” AJ nodded.
“True. Thank you for sharing that with us. Stella, my fiancée, has a moderately large family, so there will be people in and out from time to time. I hope that isn’t a problem. They all have kids. It’s a bus full when they’re all together.” I laughed.
“And then some, but they are so dang cute. The Landry’s, McKenna’s, and Malone’s sure know how to make pretty babies.” My sister grinned wide as the old man looked at her.
“Did you say Malone?”
I gave my sister a worried look then nodded at him. “Yes, sir. My fiancée is Stella Malone. Wayne Malone’s daughter.”
“Well, I’ll be. The Malone’s built this house. They’re our ‘up the road’ neighbors. Though I guess you do know that already.” He chuckled. “Small towns, ya know.”
“Ah, yes. We—” I motioned between AJ and myself, “live just outside of Diboll, so I’m not all that familiar with everyone in this area yet.”
“Very well.” He turned at the sound of the gate opening. A woman came in. I assumed it was his wife. Her smile was bright as she joined us. “This is my wife, Martha Kramer. Sweetheart, this is Tracey Daniels and his sister AJ.”
“Very nice to meet you both. I’m sorry I wasn’t over here sooner. I was making you something sweet.” She held out a plate of baked goods that had my mouth watering.
“They smell delicious. Thank you. Really.” I took the plate and smiled at them both.
“He has decided to take the house. Get this, dear, Wayne Malone’s daughter is his fiancée.”
“This is so exciting. I’m glad it’s going to someone who can appreciate it.” It took a moment for her mind to catch up to what she’d heard. I saw it the moment she registered the last part of what he had said. “Stella? Stella is your fiancée?” At my nod, she continued, “Oh, what a sweet girl. Though all of Wayne’s kids have always been so kind. The older boys used to help in the summer building the chicken coops.”
“They’re a good family.” Mr. Kramer grinned.
I nodded, agreeing with both Mr. and Mrs. Kramer.
“Shall we go across the street and start on the paperwork? I have everything that’s needed to make this happen. My son made sure of that before he left.”
“Yes, sir. Sure thing. AJ, do you mind putting these in the truck? I won’t be long.”
“Sure. I need to call and check on the boys. Make sure Diesel hasn’t eaten Chip yet.” She laughed, her body shaking as we exited the gate. I could see the confusion on Mr. and Mrs. Kramer’s faces at the exchange.
I chuckled. “In English that means she is going to call the shop to make sure her dog, a horse-sized mastiff, hasn’t eaten my best friend, her sometime boyfriend, Chipper.”
“Ah,” Mr. Kramer chuckled, “I see. The dog and friend don’t get along?”
“Well, sir, it’s like this. Neither of them like to share her time. Diesel is very protective; he’s a trained guard dog. I got him for her a few years ago when she took over my pop’s garage. A young woman working on her own, with late night tow calls; it seemed the safest course of action. I’m not there as much as I’d like. Neither is Chip. We’re bail enforcement agents. We’re on the road a lot.”
“Well, you sound like the perfect big brother.” Mrs. Kramer sat beside her husband at the dining room table, and I sat across from them.
“I try, ma’am. She’s my baby sister. I’ll always look out for her.”
They exchanged a look, and the grins I got in return made me relax. They would be great neighbors.
A few hours after I left the Kramer’s, I walked out of the courthouse, which housed the land and tax office. I had the paperwork in hand for my newest asset, mine and Stel’s first home, all filed and official now.
I was anxious to go and pick up her and Ethan. I’d gotten a text while I was still with the Kramer’s that she was needed out at Malone Construction. They had a problem, and apparently with Wayne out with Robert and Gabe and the boys out on other jobs, she was the only one left who could make a decision.
She loved that power, don’t let her grumbling fool you. Kris had dropped her and Ethan off with instructions that I would be back to pick them up.
While I was at the Kramer’s, my sister had concocted a plan to surprise Stel. I wasn’t asked to help or to give direction. I was told to get out and let ‘them’ do what they do. Which meant the others were in on it too. I should be worried, but really, I should have expected it.
Chuckling, I climbed into my truck, put the paperwork in the glove box, and headed for the site. Tomorrow Stel would get to see her new home, and we could start our newest journey.
I pulled into the driveway, pressed the button on the small device attached to my visor, and watched as the gate blocking the driveway opened. Stella shifted in her seat, grumbling about the blindfold I’d asked her to wear. My grin grew.
“Easy, love, we’re almost there.”
“I will kick you in the nuts if you scare me.”
I snorted and pulled up the drive, turned the truck around, and parked just outside of the garage. My brows pulled down as I got a look around. There were white paper bells and streamers hanging on the porch. I caught sight of my sister peeking around the corner of the house, waving at me. I shook my head, grinned, and gave Stella’s hand a squeeze.
“I’m going to get out and help you down. Do not remove that blindfold. You can see what this is about in a minute.”
“Don’t forget the baby.”
I rolled my eyes. “Please, woman, I’d never forget the baby.” My feet hit the driveway, and I moved around to help her out. I set her crutches under her arms. “Steady. Let me get the baby, then you can see your surprise.” Ethan was blowing bubbles of spit when I unbuckled him from the car seat. I chuckled, wiped his mouth on his bib, and pulled him to my chest.
“Can we get on with this already?” Stella griped.
“I’m getting the potato out. Give me a minute, baby.”
“Hurry it up, I’m not a fan of the dark.”
I laughed and shut the door. I gripped the tie on the blindfold. “On the count of three, love. One…two…three.” I let the blindfold drop. She blinked a few times and looked up. Her jaw went slack.
“Holy shit...what is this?”
My brow quirked. “A house…”
“Not that, you dope,” she laughed, “I know that. It’s the Kramer kid’s house. What’s all this?” She waved a hand around.
“Well, now that, I don’t know. Come on, let’s go into the backyard and find out.”
I hefted Ethan’s diaper bag on my shoulder and balanced him against me. I tried to not hover over her, but these crutches and her stability were at odds somedays. I saw movement to the left of us as I helped guide her around to the back patio. My sister, Chip, Gabe, the Landry’s, the McKenna’s, Doc G, the rest of the Malone’s, and Tank all stood there, watching us. I raised a brow. There had been no other cars in the yard.
“Welcome to your engagement party!” My sister grinned before hugging us both.
“With an added baby shower!” someone else called out, chuckling.
“Our…” Stel wobbled on her crutches. I moved to stand behind her, holding her steady.
“Easy, love.”
“I told you I’d kick you in the nuts for scaring me. Is it too late to add surprising me to that list?”
“Yes,” I said, snickering. “Especially since I’m just as surprised as you are.”
“Well, you see…” AJ started, moving to stand by Chip, as if he could save her from Stella’s sudden glare. “It started with a little baiting and ended with a happy surprise. We had to bust ass to change locations, but here we are. A special place for a special couple.” She grinned again, her eyes twinkling.
“An engagement party?” Stella said, shaking her head.
I gently guided her to a chair at a table that hadn’t been here earlier so she could sit.
“You have both been through so much these past few months. We wanted to do something special for you. Now, give me my nephew.” She didn’t wait for me to comply; she simply took Ethan from me. Stella grumbled something as I sat in a chair, my mind all over the place. What the hell? I chuckled and rubbed the back of my neck.
“Wait, why in the hell are we in someone else’s backyard doing this? Y’all been smoking things or something?” Stella looked at me, her eyes wide.
I glanced around, and my sister gave me the ‘say something, stupid’ look so I did just that.
“It’s our house.”